How to Set a Custom URL for Your Poe Canvas App

When you deploy a Poe Canvas app with AppToPub, it gets a URL with an auto-generated ID like  apptopub.com/app/a1b2c3d4. That works, but it’s not memorable or professional. With a paid plan, you can replace that random ID with a custom slug like  apptopub.com/app/my-quiz-bot  — making it easy to share verbally, print on business cards, or include in presentations.

What Is a Custom URL Slug?

A “slug” is the readable part of a URL that comes after the domain. On AppToPub, your app’s URL structure is:

apptopub.com/app/[slug]

By default, the slug is a randomly generated UUID (like f47ac10b-58cc). A custom slug lets you replace that with something meaningful — your app name, your brand, or a description of what the app does.

Step-by-Step: Set a Custom URL

1. Log in to AppToPub and go to your Projects dashboard
2. Find the app you want to customize. Locate it in your list of deployed apps.
3. Click the edit icon next to the app to open its settings.
4. Enter your desired slug in the custom URL field. Slugs can contain lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens. For example: recipe-helper, quiz-bot-v2, or team-summarizer.
5. Check availability. AppToPub validates that your chosen slug isn’t already taken by another app. If it’s available, you’ll see a confirmation. If not, try a variation.
6. Save. Your app is immediately accessible at the new URL. The old auto-generated URL continues to work as well, so existing links won’t break.

Slug Naming Tips

These guidelines follow Google’s URL structure best practices for readable, shareable web addresses:

• Keep it short — Aim for 2–4 words separated by hyphens. Shorter slugs are easier to type and remember.
• Be descriptive — Use words that describe what the app does: email-drafter, code-reviewer, or study-flashcards.
• Include your brand — If you’re building apps for clients or your own brand, prefix with a brand name: acme-support-bot.
• Avoid special characters — Stick to lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens. No spaces, underscores, or uppercase.
• Version thoughtfully — If you iterate on apps, use suffixes like -v2, or -2026 rather than overwriting the slug of a shared app.

Plan Requirements

Custom URLs are available on Basic ($5/month) and Premium ($15/month) plans. Free-tier apps use auto-generated IDs only.

URL Strategy for Different Use Cases

The best slug depends on how you’re using the app. Here are concrete naming strategies for common scenarios:

• Client work — Prefix with the client or project name: acme-onboarding-quiz, smith-co-support-bot. This keeps slugs organized when you manage multiple client apps.
• Portfolio pieces — Use descriptive, technology-focused names: ai-recipe-generator, code-review-tool. These tell a hiring manager what the app does before they click.
• Internal tools — Include your team or department: eng-standup-summarizer, sales-email-drafter. This makes it clear the tool belongs to a specific workflow.
• Educational content — Lead with the subject: spanish-verb-quiz, physics-flashcards. Students can remember and type these from memory.

Troubleshooting

The slug I want is already taken

Slugs are unique across all AppToPub users. Try adding a qualifier — your initials, a version number, or a more specific descriptor. For example, if quiz-bot is taken, try math-quiz-bot or jd-quiz-bot.

Can I change my slug later?

Yes. Go back to the Projects dashboard, edit the app, and enter a new slug. The previous custom slug becomes available for others to use, so update any shared links accordingly.

Will the old URL still work?

The original auto-generated UUID URL always works regardless of custom slug changes. If you change from one custom slug to another, the previous custom slug will stop resolving.

Now that your app has a professional URL, it’s ready to be showcased. Learn how to embed it directly on your website with a clean iframe integration that keeps visitors on your page while they use your AI-powered tool.